Kirk Proud Of Performance After Women's Brighton Win

Everton manager Willie Kirk was delighted with the performance as well as the result after seeing his team deservedly chalk up a third win of the Super League season with a 2-0 home success over Brighton.

Second-half goals by Chloe Kelly and Esme Morgan gave the Blues a hard-earned victory in Southport on Sunday to keep themselves in the top half of the table.

“It was a good way to bounce back after a couple of narrow defeats,” said Kirk. “We’d worked hard on our game plan and it was very pleasing to come off the park with what I thought were three well-deserved points.

“We missed a number of chances in the first half and tried to fix a couple of things at half-time – but then we missed our first chance of the second half and I’m thinking, Iis this going to backfire on us?’

“The goals came as a relief, but they were both good goals – and just as pleasing as them was another clean sheet.

“All three of our wins have been accompanied by clean sheets, which the team strive so hard for and take great pride in.”

Kelly’s goal was something of a landmark as she had never before scored more than three in a season. But Kirk believes the England international is proving her credentials this term.

“Chloe’s got everything,” he added. “Pace, power, two good feet, the ability to score spectacular goals or toe pokes. She’s still got parts of her game she needs to work on, but what she’s giving us right now is very special.”

Morgan’s goal, a header from Inessa Kaagman’s corner, was her first in Everton colours after signing on loan from Manchester City in the summer.

“I’m delighted for Esme,” said Kirk. “She’s such a nice girl, such a hard worker, and I’m equally delighted for the staff who work on set pieces – we’ve conceded goals from a few of those this season, but that was the first we’ve scored ourselves and everybody was really buzzing when Esme’s header went in.”

Next up for Kirk’s team is a Continental Cup meeting with Manchester United next weekend, followed by a big local derby against Liverpool at Anfield.

“The Man United game is a big one for us,” said Kirk. “We really want to qualify out of the group and we probably need to win the game to keep alive our hopes of finishing in the top two.

“As for going to Anfield to take on Liverpool, we’ll no doubt be having one or two little thoughts about that even though our focus this week has to be on Man United.

“Playing at Anfield will be a huge spectacle, one we’ll definitely play our part in and hopefully in front of a huge crowd.

“It will give our players the chance to shine in front of the TV cameras. too, so it’s an occasion we’ll really be looking forward to.”